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Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder -- Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms?
The hallmark of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive, out-of-control worrying about everyday things. Symptoms include:
- Inability to concentrate
- Muscle tension; muscle aches
- Diarrhea
- Eating too little or too much
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Loss of sex drive
For school-age children, symptoms include:
- Fear of being away from the family
- Refusal to go to school
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of falling asleep or having recurrent nightmares
- Unnecessary worry
Call Your Doctor If:
- Your anxiety seems irrational or more extreme than the situation warrants.
- Your anxiety interferes with your work or your social life.
- Low-level anxiety persists for many weeks.
- Your symptoms suddenly become severe or uncontrollable. You may be experiencing a panic attack. Anxiety is accompanied by weight loss and bulging of the eyes; you may have thyroid problems.
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by
Amal Chakraburtty, MD on November 27, 2008
© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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